Dasatinib

Uses	Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Therapy	Anti-Neoplastic
Side Effects	Low Blood Counts, Fluid Retention, Headache, Diarrhoea

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Molecule Description

Dasatinib is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a type of blood cancer. It comes as a tablet and is taken by mouth, always under the guidance of a specialist doctor. You can take this medication either with or without food, making it easy to fit into your daily routine. Inside your body, cancer cells can send signals that tell them to grow and multiply. Dasatinib belongs to a group of treatments called kinase inhibitors, which act like a roadblock. By blocking specific abnormal proteins that fuel the cancer, this medicine stops leukaemia cells from surviving and spreading. Keep taking Dasatinib exactly as long and as often as your doctor advises. Dasatinib is a prescription-only medicine and should be used strictly under medical supervision. The treatment plan is decided by the treating doctor based on the condition being treated, your body response and the other medicines you are receiving. Do not change, stop or repeat a dose on your own. Before starting Dasatinib, tell your doctor about all your existing medical conditions, especially heart, liver or kidney problems, and about every medicine, vitamin, supplement and herbal product you take. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Regular blood tests and clinical check-ups are usually needed during treatment so that side effects are picked up early.

Uses

Dasatinib is used to treat adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Contraindications

When should one not use Dasatinib

If you are allergic to dasatinib or any other ingredient in this medicine, as a serious allergic reaction may occur.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Low blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of infections, bruising or bleeding, and tiredness. Regular blood tests are required.
Fluid build-up, which may cause swelling of the face or limbs or fluid around the lungs or heart.
Diarrhoea
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
Skin rash
Nausea
Tiredness and weakness
Shortness of breath
Bleeding or bruising
Vomiting and constipation
Fever and chills
Cough and hair loss
Dry skin and itching
Changes in taste
Dizziness and abdominal pain
Raised liver enzyme levels in blood tests
Low potassium, calcium or phosphate levels in blood tests
Severe or unusual bleeding, including bleeding in the stomach or intestines or, rarely, the brain.
Severe fluid build-up around the lungs, which may cause significant shortness of breath.
Serious cardiovascular problems, including heart failure or reduced heart function.
Changes in the heart rhythm, including QT prolongation and potentially serious abnormal heart rhythms.
High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension).
Blood clots in the veins or lungs.
Tumour lysis syndrome, a serious condition that can occur when cancer cells break down rapidly.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unusual bleeding, new or worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, or significant swelling.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Dasatinib may cause harm to an unborn baby.If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately before starting treatment. Women who could become pregnant should discuss effective contraception with their doctor.

Breast Feeding

It is not known whether dasatinib passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious harm to a nursing baby, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment. Talk to your doctor about safe alternatives for feeding your baby.

Driving

Dasatinib does not appear to directly affect the ability to drive or operate machines. However, if you feel very unwell, tired, or dizzy due to side effects, do not drive and let your doctor know.

Alcohol

There is no specific established alcohol interaction. If you have questions about alcohol consumption during treatment, speak to your doctor.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You develop new or worsening shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, unexpected weight gain, or swelling due to fluid build-up.
You notice unusual bleeding or bruising, bright red or dark, tar-like stools, coughing up blood, blood in the urine, or a headache with decreased alertness or changes in speech.
You develop fever, chills, or other signs of infection.
You develop chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or abnormal heartbeats.
You have low potassium or low magnesium levels.
You take or plan to take stomach acid-reducing medicines such as proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers, as these should not be taken with dasatinib.
You are taking blood thinners or medicines that affect platelet function, as these may increase the risk of bleeding.
You have existing liver disease.
You are planning to have children, as dasatinib may cause fertility problems in males and females.
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or could become pregnant, as dasatinib can harm an unborn baby.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Dasatinib blocks BCR-ABL, an abnormal protein that helps leukaemia cells grow and survive. It also blocks other proteins involved in leukaemia-cell signalling. By blocking these signals, Dasatinib slows leukaemia cell growth and survival.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the amount of dasatinib in your blood and increase the risk of side effects. These medicines should generally be avoided with dasatinib. Your doctor may need to adjust the dasatinib dose if their use cannot be avoided.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers may reduce the amount of dasatinib in your blood and may make it less effective. Your doctor may consider an alternative medicine or adjust the dasatinib dose if necessary.
Medicines that reduce stomach acid can reduce the absorption of dasatinib. H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors should not be taken with dasatinib. Antacids may be used, but should be taken at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after dasatinib.
Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal products you take before starting dasatinib.

Interactions with food items

Dasatinib can be taken with or without food, as eating does not significantly affect how much medicine your body absorbs. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice throughout treatment, as these can raise Dasatinib blood levels and increase the risk of side effects. Eating small, light, and frequent meals can help manage diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting, which are common side effects.

Dosage

Overdose

If you think you have taken an overdose of this medicine, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department right away. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts closely and provide supportive care as needed.

Missed a Dose

If you miss a dose of Dasatinib, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take double the dose to make up for a missed one. If you are unsure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Treatment duration depends on your type of leukaemia, response to treatment, and tolerance of side effects. Your doctor will monitor your response with regular blood tests and other assessments and will determine how long treatment should continue.

Dasatinib is used to treat adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

No. Do not stop, delay or change your treatment on your own, even if you feel well. Stopping early can make the treatment less effective. Always speak to your doctor first.

Yes. Your doctor will usually advise regular blood tests and clinical check-ups during treatment to monitor how your body is responding and to pick up side effects early.